Author Archives: eclecticlamb

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Adirondacks Bento

For this vacation themed bento I made a bread canoe. Canoes remind me of summers at our family property in the Adirondacks  (Hamilton County, NY). I love canoeing on a calm lake in the morning or evening. Canoe: French bread … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Pasta and Beets Lunch

This is not a cute bento but it was delicious. I love the combination of pasta, blue cheese, and beets. Farfalle pasta (bow-tie) with blue cheese and a little bit of olive oil Peach Beets (from my sister-in-law’s garden)

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 1 Comment

Week 31 Algerian Eye Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 31 was the Algerian Eye stitch. I enjoyed playing with this stitch!

Posted in Embroidery | 6 Comments

Wild West – Gold Rush Party

Two of my nephews (in one family) have birthdays a few days apart so they have a combined birthday party with family. The theme this year for their 8th and 12th birthdays was Wild West / Gold Rush. My niece … Continue reading

Posted in Party Planning | 1 Comment

Week 30 Oyster Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 30 was the Oyster stitch. I think that  I eventually understood the stitch but it is not my favorite.

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Olympic Bento

This lunch was for my 10 year old nephew. In my constant quest to find interesting backgrounds, I used caramel popcorn this time. I think it was my first and last time. It is not healthy and is a bumpy … Continue reading

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Week 29 Basque Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 29 was the Basque stitch. This is another new stitch that I enjoyed learning. I can see myself using it for borders and other uses.

Posted in Embroidery | 2 Comments

Union Square Greenmarket in July

The city that never sleeps does not wake up early on Saturday morning. I had some time Saturday morning before leaving NYC for my Great Aunt’s 80th birthday party on Long Island. I decided to go to the Union Square … Continue reading

Posted in Adventures, Food | 3 Comments

Week 28 TAST Up and Down Buttonhole

The TAST stitch for Week 28 was the Up and Down Buttonhole stitch. I loved working with this stitch and expect to use it again in the future.

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Butterfly Bento

My 13 year old niece and I made this bento lunch. I used a cookie cutter to mold the sticky rice butterflies. Spinach salad with pistachio nuts Rice butterflies with heart sprinkles and pistachios Watermelon butterflies Linking up at:

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 6 Comments

Week 27 TAST Bonnet Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 27 was the Bonnet stitch. I experimented with this stitch and did not quite get it. I think that the top row is the furthest from being correct, but it is my favorite.

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Care Package Graduation Gift

Many years ago, I found this idea  from Be*mused for a care package gift certificate. It is a perfect gift for a high school graduate planning to attend college. I first used the care package gift certificate a few years … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | 2 Comments

Winners of 1st Blogiversary Giveaway

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments and for entering my first giveaway! The winner of the napkins is #1 – Mary Lee. The winner of the bento is #26 – Rina. Mary Lee and Rina, I will be … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | 2 Comments

Week 26 TAST Palestrina Stitch

The TAST stitch for Week 26 was the Palestrina stitch. I am very far behind. Hopefully I will complete some catch-up stitches this week. I enjoyed working with this stitch.

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1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway

Today is my blog’s 1 year anniversary. I started this blog as a class assignment for a masters course in Social Media. I went against advice to have a single topic blog because I wanted one place to document my … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | 40 Comments

Zebra Bento

I created this for my nephew a few days before his 4th birthday. This bento lunch was themed to match the activity we did that day. We went to Hidden Valley Animal Adventure. They have trolley rides where visitors can … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 7 Comments

Transportation Birthday Party

My sister-in-law held her son’s 4th birthday at her parent’s farm. The invitation for this party mentioned trains, cars, tractors, and trucks. This was a family party with about half adults and half young cousins in attendance. My contributions to … Continue reading

Posted in Party Planning | 3 Comments

Week 25 TAST Cable Chain Stitch

The stitch for week 25 of TAST is the Cable Chain Stitch. While my version may not be as beautiful as more accomplished stitchers, I enjoyed playing with this stitch.

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Picnic Bento

My 13 year old niece and I planned this bento. I am proud of her concept and planning. She even created a grocery list for me! Picnic blanket: rice and red pepper Grass: snow peas Watermelon: red pepper, chocolate sprinkles, … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Felt Road Gift

When I found the Felt Road patrol kit post by Kristen at  Make the Best of Everything, I knew it would be perfect for my nephew’s 4th birthday. I decided to keep my kit simple and did not add the … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | 1 Comment

Sand Dollar Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Beach”. My inspiration was Maine vacations my family took when I was a kid. I loved to walk the beach and find sand dollars. This … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 2 Comments

July 4th Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “4th of July”. My 11 year old nephew and I came up with this red, white and blue theme for this lunch. We worked together … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Hot Bento

This week the Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is “Hot”. While brainstorming the theme I thought about three interpretations for hot. Sun Spicy Cool and refreshing for a hot day I decided to incorporate … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 3 Comments

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

A few days ago my 11 year old nephew and I went hiking at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama, NY. We walked the Swallow Hollow and Onondaga trails. This was our second time visiting these trails. Our first … Continue reading

Posted in Adventures | 1 Comment

Week 24 TAST Buttonhole Wheel

The stitch for week 24 of TAST is the Buttonhole Wheel. I tried the Buttonhole Wheel during week 2 Buttonhole stitch. Since I did not need to make a page for my sampler, I created a bookmark. It was a fun … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 7 Comments

Swimming Bento

This week the  Bento of the Week (BOTW) theme at the Bento Blog Network is Swimming. The only theme part of this is the bears swimming in blueberries. But it tasted great! Cinnamon Teddy Grahams in blueberries Plain Greek yogurt … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Bagel and Cheese Bento

I created this bento lunch for my 11 year old nephew. He did not want a theme. Typically I like to make themed bentos but it was fun to try to make ordinary food interesting. Chocolate covered pretzels Strawberries and … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 1 Comment

Weeks 22 & 23 TAST Knotted Cretan Stitch & Catch-up

The stitch for week 22 of TAST is the Knotted Cretan stitch. I was not good at Cretan (week 4) so I was not looking forward to working with the knotted Cretan stitch. I don’t think it is a stitch … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 2 Comments

Tree Bento

Maybe this should be called Sugar Bento. There are not as many M&M’s as there appear. They are not under the tree. But there are still more than I intended. My 10 year old nephew requested this theme and helped … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 3 Comments

Week 21 TAST Butterfly Chain Stitch

The stitch for week 21 of TAST is the Butterfly Chain stitch. I had fun working with this stitch.

Posted in Embroidery | 3 Comments

Basketball Bento

I created this basketball themed bento for my 15 year old nephew. I had thought that he would not want a themed bento but he did not care as long as it tasted good. I was happy to work with … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 5 Comments

NGC Flower Show

The National Garden Club (NGC) convention was in Buffalo this year. My garden club attended their flower show. It was fun and educational to see entries in the various categories. Apples are in the water Bamboo and roses Columbine Cafe … Continue reading

Posted in Adventures | 4 Comments

Week 20 TAST Bullion Knot

The stitch for week 20 of TAST is the Bullion Knot stitch. I have wanted to try this stitch for a long time. One of the things I like about TAST is that it forces me to attempt new stitches. … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 4 Comments

Marionette Bento

This weeks theme for Bento of the Week (BOTW) at Bento Blog Network is kabobs. When brainstorming kabobs I came up with a Marionette. I was aiming for clown but I think it looks more like a silly puppet. Wood … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 4 Comments

Card Games Birthday

I helped my sister-in-law with my nephews 10th birthday party. They have family birthday parties with a mix of adults (Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents) and children (siblings and cousins).  My nephew enjoys playing card games so this was the perfect theme. … Continue reading

Posted in Party Planning | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Week 19 TAST Half Chevron Stitch

The stitch for week 19 of TAST is the Half Chevron stitch. I liked working with the Chevron stitch but did not have fun with the Half Chevron. I think that I did the last part of the stitch wrong … Continue reading

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Armadillo Bento

This is my attempt at using a leftover stuffed shell to make an armadillo. I had to curve the tail to fit in the bento. The armadillo is on a bed of green beans. I used a slivered almond for … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 6 Comments

Week 18 TAST Crossed Buttonhole Stitch

The stitch for week 18 of TAST is the Crossed Buttonhole stitch. This was my first time working with the stitch.

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Saturn Bento

You need an imagination for this one. My 7 year old nephew and I made this the same day we went to a movie at the planetarium. Saturn: Clementine Rings: Nutella bagel sandwich (homemade from bagel dough) Sky: Wegmans blue … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 3 Comments

Week 17 TAST Wheatear Stitch

The stitch for week 17 of TAST is the Wheatear stitch. This was my first time working with the stitch. I found it enjoyable. I tried to stitch in a circle on Aida and picked it out. I did not … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 2 Comments

Fruit and Vegetable Themed Bento

This bento was for my 13 year old niece. I decided on a fruit and vegetable theme to use some of the cute items my friend sent me from Japan. Left: Strawberries and Blackberries Middle: Salad with cucumber cut outs … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 5 Comments

Week 16 TAST French Knots

The stitch for week 16 of TAST is the French Knot. Above is my sampler page for the French Knot. Below are some French Knot examples I did years ago. Sheep Tree French Knots with Antique Button

Posted in Embroidery | 2 Comments

Zucchini and Cheese Pie with Rice Crust

I enjoy trying new recipes so I do not have a lot of repeat recipes in a dinner rotation. This Zucchini and Cheese Pie is one recipe that has been in my menu rotation for many years. It is adapted … Continue reading

Posted in Food | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Week 15 TAST Stem Stitch

The stitch for week 15 of TAST is the Stem stitch. I am still catching up as we are currently in week 16. Top row: Stem stitch Bottom row: Raised stem stitch

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Terrarium Bento

This is my Earth Day submission for Bento of the Week at Bento Blog Network. I started planning this about a month ago when the theme was announced. I was happy when my husband came home with this container. His … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Week 14 TAST Satin Stitch

The stitch for week 14 of TAST is the Satin Stitch stitch. I have worked a little with satin stitch in the past but was not fond it it. This week was my first time to try padded satin. I … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 1 Comment

Airplane Bento

My 7 year old nephew helped design and style his lunch. He wanted a blue box and an American cheese sun (upper left corner). The airplane is a peanut butter sandwich. The plane is flying in the clouds (popcorn) with … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 4 Comments

Felt Peeps

When looking for something to make for my out of town nieces this year, I found this wonderful tutorial and pattern by Michael Ann Made. These were fast and fun to make. It was a bit more complicated because her … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | 1 Comment

Easter Egg Tree

This year is my first time hanging eggs on an egg tree. My Mom helped me out by taking branches from my yard and spray painting them white. There are two styles of eggs on this tree. My niece and … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | 4 Comments

Felt Easter Bunnies

I made these felt bunnies for Easter  in 2006. I used the directions and pattern from Woman’s Day magazine but I could not find the directions online anymore. I scanned my printed copy and you can see it here – Bunny … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts, Embroidery | 6 Comments